This week, we will start a discussion regarding same sex
marriage in class. It happens to
coincide with National Coming Out Day which is October 11th. National Coming Out Day, which began in 1987
promotes a safe world for LGBT individuals to live truthfully and openly. You can read about the controversy that
happened here in Indianapolis
This year, in honor of National Coming Out Day and in support of a more tolerant
The first time I remember hearing about this issue was in 1998, when Matthew Shepherd was targeted, tortured and murdered because of his sexual orientation. I’m sure other hate crimes such as this had happened prior to this event, but it was Matthew’s murder that sticks in my mind most. Tomorrow marks the 14th anniversary of Matthew Shepherd’s death. Today, hate crimes and bullying based on sexual orientation remain on the rise. Consider the following:
- According to the Gay Lesbian Straight Educator’s Network, students hear anti-gay epithets over 25 times a day and teachers fail to respond 97% of the time
- According to the Task Force on Youth Suicide, gay youth are 3 times more likely than straight youths to commit suicide. In fact, 30% of all youth suicides have been linked to issues the youth faced concerning their sexual identity
- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force reports 28% of gay students drop out of high school
- In a survey done by the National School Climate Task Force, 64% of gay students feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation
first of all, this is a shame. But if you really think about, what can we do to prevent this? Kids are ruthless and bullying, whether its for your sexuality or just because you where glasses isnt going anywhere. Its terrible, but its true. The fact is,in most cases people tend to think the when kids are letting them know how people are treating them, they think its there over-imagination or "its just kids being kids" no one realizes how terrible things really are until its too late. Kids being bullied for sexuality is just like kids being bullied for their race. Until every single person on the face of this earth decides to look past other peoples race, religion, sexuality, looks, etc and see one another as human beings, there is no hope for peace.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nickki, kids will use anything as motivation to bully another kid. I think I have an unique perspective on this issues beacuse I was stationed on a ship when the Coast Guard removed the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and made it ok for Coast Guard members to be openly homosexual. As you can imagine, this was a huge transition for many Coast Guard members and to avoid bullying and harrasment extensive trianing was given on the importance of respect. I think children are going to respond better to messages about respecing thier peers than messages about not bullying and as always it is the responsibilty of parents and role models to set the right example.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, It's pretty pathetic that anyone makes fun of anyone else. It's just really immature and lame, Who really cares what anyone is or anyone does? And why should you make a big deal out of it. I feel like it has a lot to do with the person who is making fun's insecurities. The only way I think this will stop is if a big change occurs in the way we think in society. A change like possibly gay marriage being legalized in all 50 states, something like so would eventually become accepted by the status quo in America. At first it would most likely be rough, but eventually everyone would get over it. Everyone could raise awareness by not making such a big deal out of being gay. Just let people be gay, its not like any random person being gay would affect you directly. So in the long run I think that the people should just be more accepting of the gay peoples rights and stop using hate speech towards gay people, it's just childish and barbaric.
ReplyDeleteThese statistics are extremely saddening. I think it's terrible that people get bullied for things like being gay, their religion, what they look like, etc... It's not right that they are punished for just being who they are. The unfortunate thing is is that our society perpetuates these negative idea's about things like sexuality or what it takes to be beautiful or fit in. That in turn effects how families, their children, or people in general may treat those who don't fit that idealized (and down right unrealistic) mold. Not only that but people often say that most bullies are insecure about themselves and that's why they do what they do. While in some cases that may be true, psychology has concluded that most bullies actually do it because they believe themselves to be better than their victims. Society favors strait people over gays right now, and that's one of the many reasons why gays are bullied. Things have been slowly changing, though. After all, not that long ago you weren't even to speak of the concept of gay, let alone even be gay. I think the only way to help with bullying is to change the way everyone thinks about things, to raise awareness. After all, to change the way you think about something changes the way you feel about it, which in turn changes our behavior towards it. It wouldn't change things overnight, but in time I believe things can be different.
ReplyDeleteOur parents teach us how to respect and how to disrespect. Children learn bullying and hate against homosexual from their parents. Schools should monitor the children behaviors and teach them how to respect the others’ rights. Being respectful to the others should be a code of behavior. Schools have to adapt policies to prevent students from bullying against homosexual. Bullied students should be able to talk to a designated teacher who can act to protect them. Parents of bullied and bullying should be informed to watch their children behavior. In the community level, as individual in work places, sexual comments targeting LGBT should not be tolerated. Do not smile or participate is such a damaging behavior. We cannot isse laws to regulate everything we do in life, but we can use our own conscious to judge what is right and what is wrong. Harming the others mentally or physically is not justifiable under any circumstances.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my thoughts are on the first link to this blog, that really disgusts me. I just can't fathom the feelings the IUPUI group had, I would want to have open arms to anyone in general, and also to deny someone's business.. it is more of a ridiculous move on the business end. There is just so much negativity and its sad to know someone treats people this way. It might not have been a huge deal to Just Cookies at the time, but you never know what something done or said can do to someone.
ReplyDeleteWithout beating around the bush, I think what the owners did was wrong. People learn from what they're parents do, and I think the younger daughters that were impressionable might have gotten a larger more severe impression especially since it made national news. I am respectful to both sides, but I just beg to differ on any reason with how this is ok.
As for the later, I had this idea of a larger society awareness before I read the above comments, so I agree with Cam. As I think about it more though, and think about what my family has told me as I get older about my personality, I take a different approach on the question. I think it's just how we think about things, and how we react to people. I am all for peoples opinions, thoughts, beliefs, and anything else that is closer to them than anyone else. I agree to disagree, and I am ok with that. It's frustrating, because even giving my own opinion now I fear will just be torn apart, but honestly, that sucks but it's ok. I have confidence in my beliefs, and that can be a bigger picture: let people be who they are, think what they want to think, and hear them out and let it be. Being true to oneself and respecting others is the general answer to this blog (for me).
It disgusting and wrong to demean someone for any reason, and sexual orientation can be something that causes a lot of anguish for young people. When something like someone's sexual orientation, which already causes alienation from one's peers a lot of the times, is singled out and attacked it can cause catastrophic results. I think that children should be raised to show more empathy and understanding as opposed to relying on awareness to solve this problem. Ultimately if someone lacks the empathetical response to someone's sexual orientation, it doesn't matter how aware the person is of the issue. This is primarily the parent's responsibility but teachers can promote empathy as well even if it is more subtle.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to start preventing such hate crimes and bullying is to raise awareness and stop ignorance. Although, we can't prevent what parents teach their children at home. I work at an after school program in Carmel, and last year we had someone come in and talk to the kids about how we don't treat others differently or are mean to them if they have a disability. When the children were asked what disabilities they knew one child who was in 1st grade raised his hand and said "gay and lesbian?" On one level it was funny that this small child said what he said, but on another level, all I could think of was what is going on at home that made him think that would be a disability. I think schools should be required to teach diversity classes. Also, I think school or after school clubs such as Pride Club is a great idea to help end bullying. I think the best way is to just not say we care, but actually get involved and do something about it.
ReplyDeleteThe answer to this question is parenting and schools enforcing the rules that are in place. If a child is raised in an environment where treating people fairly and equally is practiced, then more than likely, that child will grow up with this viewpoint. This for the most part works the other way as well. It is a shame that people are discriminated for their outward appearance or beliefs. This is never acceptable in any case regardless of the issue. My answer to this question is parenting and the guidelines that schools implement need to be enforced. This type of discrimination isn't necessarily the same as racial discrimination though. I only say this to point out a different way of looking at this issue. There is no evidence that proves that gay or lesbian people are born with this trait unlike people with different skin color and ethnicities. Since we can't prove that people are not born with this trait, an argument could be made that it is their own fault for getting bullied by choosing this. I only bring this point up to help others look at it as being slightly different than racial discrimination. I am not bringing it up to propose that people bring bullying upon themselves by choosing to be gay or lesbian. Never is bullying alright. It seems that the more this issue is brought up and talked about, the bigger problem it creates. It divides people based upon their beliefs, and it in ways creates hostility towards people.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the way a child handles these situations is because of their influences outside of school. Whether it be family life, the media, or other social groups and interactions they are a part of. Its very difficult to control what a parent is teaching their child but there are ways to make our community as a whole aware of the issues that are taking place today with homosexuality. This could also change a parents perspective which would change the way they teach their children. Even though children have many other influences outside of school I think it is very important to teach equality and how we should treat others to our students. I think the biggest problem with Americans that are against homosexuality is that they don't really understand it. Not all homosexuals are the same and some of them ruin it for all the others just like any other stereotype. People need to understand that homosexuals are just humans like the rest of us and they're not out to get anyone they just want to have equal rights and freedom like everyone else. And I think it's pathetic that America has come so far and we are where we are today and they're not getting it.
ReplyDeleteThings that could help this issue, would letting other kids no that they are no different than them, they are still humans, and they deserve to be treated the same way. To help raise awareness about it, they just need to have like a lecture to all kids and teachers about the subject. Stating some of the statistics, and letting everyone know that they are know different than them, and that everyone need to be treated the same, you don't see gay or lesbian kids bulling straight kids....for being straight, so straight kids don't have the right to do it back. It goes back to the hole treat people the way that you would like to be treated. I think with time, this subject wont be an issue, it will be excepted just like anything else.
ReplyDeleteI think bullying will never be completely stopped just because people are just different and when someone is different they will get attention whether it’s good or bad. I do believe that there should be stiffer penalties for bullying to thwart some of it. But firstly it can’t be ignored by the adults or other minors. If people would speak up and speak out against bullying, I think a lot of the problems can be prevented. As far as cyber bullying goes I think the individual shouldn’t put themselves in a situation where it can happen. Like if you’re getting cyber bullied on Facebook or YouTube, then don’t go on the site. It’s that easy. I also think that some of the kids need some tougher skin as well. No matter what you do there’s always going to be name calling, the world isn’t perfect.
ReplyDeleteBullying, no matter the situation, will ever completely stop. It is terrible that it happens, and more so on homosexuality. One way to help prevent this is stricter penalties against the bullies. Parents should be honest with their child who is being bullied. People cant prevent bullying fully, but speaking out against it always helps. There will always be a bully out there. But in all honesty maybe they should be bullied for a bit to show how it hurts and can cause serious damage to the other person.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a terrible problem in this country. People should be more tolerant of alternative lifestyles. I think eventually the issue will diminish, but in the mean time, I believe that educating youth about these kinds of things might help. People tend to be afraid of things that are strange or different. Their way of dealing with that is to bully. So if we educate the youth and tell them that it's not that strange or different, then that will result in less bullying.
ReplyDeleteJosh Berkley
I think it'll just take time. Sooner or later understandings will change and what we consider taboo more people will expect it in there communities. I think it'll be accepted eventually. The bullying might not stop, but it won't be as prevalent as it is now or has.
ReplyDeleteI think in time gays will be accepted and their marriages will be viewed at equal to that of a traditional marriage. I believe they will be accepted in society and bullying will be a point in our history where we look back and ask ourselves "Why would we even do that?"
ReplyDelete